07/08/16 Anthony and Jenny Phillips, enjoy the shade under their giant gunnera plant. "This is probably the best year ever for our giant gunnera
07/08/16 Anthony and Jenny Phillips, enjoy the shade under their giant gunnera plant. "This is probably the best year ever for our giant gunnera plant," said gardener Jenny Phillips. "The heavy rain through July followed by a brief heatwave, has really made it flourish. "At almost 12 ft tall, with leaves more than 5ft in diameter, it's the biggest I've ever seen." Jenny, 70, enjoys sheltering under the plant's huge leaves, with a cup of tea and biscuit, to escape the rainy weather in her garden, in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. Gunnera, also known as Chilean rhubarb, or giant rhubarb, is native to South America, but thrives in the UK's wet and warm climate, and can usually be found growing along river banks and in marshes. Jenny, together with husband Anthony, were given their gunnera as a house warming gift, 25 years ago, and since then have watched it grown from a small pot to the giant plant it is today. "It's pretty impressive," said Jenny. "We've taken lots of cuttings for friends and planted more ourselves and every year it amazes us with its size." All Rights Reserved, F Stop Press Ltd. +44 (0)1773 550665
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Keywords: chilean, fstoppress, garden, gunnera, press, rain, rhubarb, staffordshire, stop, uttoxeter, weather
